HARTFORD, CONN. — Saying the downturn in its core markets is worse than expected, United Technologies Corp. cut its 2009 profit forecast 13 percent Tuesday and will reduce its global work force by 5 percent.

The announcement by the maker of Otis elevators and Sikorsky helicopters reverses guarded optimism for higher earnings of a month ago.

"We intend to be fully prepared for a deeper and longer deterioration of market conditions," Chief Executive Louis Chenevert told investor analysts at a conference in New York.

The company lowered its 2009 earnings-per-share forecast to $4 to $4.50 from its outlook of $4.65 to $5.15 per share. The forecast includes 30 cents to 40 cents per share for $750 million in restructuring costs this year. Analysts, whose estimates typically exclude one-time items, expect a profit of $4.60 per share, according to Thomson Reuters.

The 11,600 positions to be eliminated are non-manufacturing jobs, the company said. The work force reductions bring to 18,000 the number of jobs cut this year and in 2008.

The moves are being driven by a decline in expected revenue, which is now seen totaling $55 billion, down $2.7 billion from its prior estimate, but still largely in line with Wall Street's $55.21 billion target.